Module Information
Module Identifier
PS11610
Module Title
Introduction to Psychological Research Methods
Academic Year
2014/2015
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 x 1 hour lecture |
| Workload Breakdown | (Every 10 credits carries a notional student workload of 100 hours.) |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | CRITICAL PAPER REVIEW (1000 WORDS) | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | RESEARCH PROPOSAL (1500 WORDS) | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | CRITICAL PAPER REVIEW (1000 WORDS) If students fail the module overall, any failed component must be re-sat or determined as the Examination Board sees fit. | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | RESEARCH PROPOSAL (1500 WORDS) | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Critically assess the key principles of both quantitative and qualitative research design.
2. Identify when to use different research methods appropriately.
3. Evaluate the benefits and limitations of different types of research methods
Aims
This module provides an introduction to research methods in psychology, assumes no prior knowledge of psychology and provides students with a knowledge base for future study. It provides students with an overview of the qualitative and quantitative research methods used in psychological research.
Brief description
Psychology as a science; exploring the use of qualitative and experimental methods in psychology
Content
Experimental design:
-Longitudinal and cross sectional design, repeated measures design, Quasi-experimental design, double blind design
Experimental methods:
-Questionnaire design, Internet based research
Non-experimental methods:
-Observational techniques and observer effects, case studies, diary studies, Interview techniques
Research considerations:
-Participant bias, demand characteristics, placebo effects
-Researcher bias, halo effects and contrast effects
-Longitudinal and cross sectional design, repeated measures design, Quasi-experimental design, double blind design
Experimental methods:
-Questionnaire design, Internet based research
Non-experimental methods:
-Observational techniques and observer effects, case studies, diary studies, Interview techniques
Research considerations:
-Participant bias, demand characteristics, placebo effects
-Researcher bias, halo effects and contrast effects
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Students will learn how to present their ideas in writing through presentation of the critical review and research proposal. They will need to understand the importance of clear communication and how to use the many sources of information available appropriately. They will learn to be clear and direct in their aims and objectives. Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format and the presentation of work should reflect effective expression of ideas and good use of language skills in order to ensure clarity, coherence and effective communication. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The module aims to promote self-management but within a context of assistance from both the facilitator and the fellow students alike. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and to exercise their own initiative, including searching for sources, compiling reading lists, and deciding (under guidance) the appropriate use of psychological research to address specific topics. The need to meet practical deadlines will focus students¿ attention on the need to manage their time and opportunity resources well. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format. Also, students will be encouraged to search for sources of information on the web, as well as seeking sources through electronic information sources (such as Web of Science and PsychLit; PsychInfo). |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Learning about the process of planning projects, framing the parameters of the projects, honing and developing the projects and seeing through to completion will contribute towards their portfolio of transferable skills |
| Problem solving | The submission of a critical paper review and a research proposal will require that the student develops independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. The ability of students to solve problems will be developed and assessed by asking them to: adopt differing points of view; estimate an answer to the problem; consider the appropriateness of the use of different research methodology in published research; reason logically; apply theoretical models; consider similar cases; look for patterns; divide issues into smaller problems. |
| Research skills | The submission of the critical paper review and research proposal will reflect the independent research skills of the student. The need to locate appropriate research resources and evaluate research will facilitate research skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of subject specific skills that will help them to understand, conceptualise and choose appropriate research methods. These subject specific skills include: - Assessment of scientific methods in psychology. - Differentiation between quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry. - Demonstration of a familiarity with the techniques required for literature searches. - Development of research proposal writing skills |
| Team work | Within the lecture based design of the module, lectures will be designed to encourage small-group discussion where students will be obliged to discuss as a group the core issues related to research topics and appropriate research methods |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4